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July 30, 2019
Minneapolis, MN
Vikings Meet The Vikings at American Swedish Institute |
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Coordinator: Nancy Sand |
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Click on the small pictures to view the full-size photos |
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| “Vikings
Meet the Vikings” is how event host Nancy S advertised our ULLR visit
to the American Swedish Institute (ASI) on July 30. Twelve
ULLRs came to see and learn about Viking boat grave history and see
artifacts from boat graves. Yes, years ago people were buried
with objects and animals in full-size boats under earthen mounds.
Viking helmets, swords and weapons for attack and defense, as well as
jewelry, glass vessels, bowls and other objects with magical importance
told stories both about the society and the people buried with
them. Many of the objects were around 1400 years
old. ULLRs learned how early Viking society was organized, the
role of women and the development of maritime innovation that enabled
the Vikings to reach faraway lands in the East and West. We marveled at how the boat grave artifacts were exhibited. Our tour guides explained to us how exhibits like this are created and presented. Our own ULLR Wayne Jastremski helps do that at ASI! See photo of him working on a previous exhibit installation. They were installing a show called the Weather Diaries. The manakins were supposed to be ascending to the Light. Following our boat grave exhibit tour, we had to see the items from our own Minnesota Vikings football team. Did you know the first NFL game played in continental Europe was a Vikings-Bears game in 1988? (Maybe someone will plan an ULLR visit to the Vikings Museum at their new facility in Eagan.) There is no doubt that ULLRs are kids at heart. Several spent some time in the “Wee Thee Vikings” play area where there were painted illustrations and wood carvings by MN artists. Look for Ginny’s catch-and-release fish in the photo. On the upper floor of the main ASI building, ULLRs were intrigued by several suspended kinetic sculptures by Danny Saathoff. The exhibition is inspired by the shores of Lake Superior and the ways in which the lake is showing us how it is affected by climate change. The subtle movements of Saathof’s suspended sculptures tell of the shifts underneath and the possibilities of finding solutions ahead. As you know, ULLRs rarely go anywhere without meeting for lunch or dinner. Most of our group ordered a smaller lunch at The French Meadow Bakery and Café in anticipation of Swedish treats at the ASI after our tours. The ASI treats were indeed delicious! |
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